Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca
Blank visited Bogotá, Colombia, today, to see how a U.S.-based company is
helping to promote corporate social responsibility in
a country where it does business.

In 2007, the world’s largest
software company Microsoft joined forces with the nonprofit Trust for the
Americas, the nonprofit Centro Laudes Infantis and
the local government to create “Mi Llave,” a program designed specifically to
increase computer literacy. The centers, including one that Acting
Secretary Blank visited, provide economic and social opportunities to youth and
vulnerable populations through access to technology, technical and vocational
skills training, and more. Since its inception, 15 additional centers have
opened across the country.

Acting Secretary Blank toured the
facility and heard first hand testimonials from individuals who have benefitted
from the services the centers provide. More than 13,000 people have been
trained, and more than 270,000 people have
received access to computers and the Internet since training began at Mi Llave
centers.

Programs that provide basic computer
literacy are crucial to ensuring job readiness for individuals. Particularly in
places that have experienced conflict, such as Colombia, getting technology
skills helps increase social and economic inclusion, job
opportunities, and strengthen communities. In fact, many of the
centers around the country are specifically focused on helping displaced
combatants develop the skills they need to reenter society.

While this visit was the first
opportunity for the Commerce Department to show its support of this program in
Colombia, it was not the first time that Commerce leaders have praised the work
of U.S. companies making a difference in the regions where they operate. For
example, in November 2012, Acting Secretary Blank visited the Ford Silverton
Plant in Pretoria, South Africa. There, Ford is helping South Africa achieve
its goals to economically empower the community and reduce poverty and
unemployment.

As part of the visit to
Bogotá, Commerce and U.S. Embassy employees
personally donated hard drives, books, and soccer balls, all of which are going
to Centro Laudes Infantis, the non-profit that runs the centers in Bogotá.

In recent years, the idea that the
companies have a responsibility to address societal changes has grown
significantly, and, as demonstrated by Acting Secretary Blank’s visit today,
there is an important role for the private sector to play in making these
issues a key component of their business success and as citizens doing their
part in creating a sustainable society.

Working together, governments,
businesses and nonprofits can help nations grow and thrive. The Commerce
Department will continue to support and highlight the work of social and
development programs that are made possible – in part – by U.S. companies
committed to corporate social responsibility.